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**Title:** Antique B.G.I. Co. Forstner Wood Boring Brace Bit - Patented Feb 23, 1886
Up for sale is a rare, authentic antique Forstner style brace bit manufactured by the legendary Bridgeport Gun Implement Company (B.G.I. Co.). This early wood-boring tool features a classic tapered square shank designed for use with a traditional hand-crank bit brace.
B.G.I. Co. was one of only two premier Connecticut firms licensed by Benjamin Forstner in the late 19th century to produce his revolutionary rim-guided bits. This exact variant is highly sought after by tool purists, noted for being the same style featured in the famous H.O. Studley tool chest.
**Markings Stamped on Shank:**
* Side 1: "B.G.I. CO"
* Side 2: "PAT SEP. 22. 74 / FEB. 23. 86"
* Total Length: Approx. 8 inches
* Shank Type: Square Tapered Tang (Brace/Bit style)
* Manufacturer: Bridgeport Gun Implement Co. (Bridgeport, CT)
**Condition:**
Good, honest antique condition with a beautiful, natural dark patina. The stamped lettering is highly legible. The metal shows expected light surface wear and minor scuffing from decades of storage, but no major rust scaling or structural damage. The cutting rim and interior lips are intact with typical light wear. Please review the high-resolution photos carefully for an exact look at the condition.
Great addition to any 19th-century woodworking collection or early American tool display!
